Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward (1921–1994) was an American writer best known for short, aphoristic reflections used widely in inspirational literature, speeches, and greeting-card style compilations. This saying circulates as one of his characteristic maxims, pairing a homely, everyday image with a moral lesson about interpersonal conduct. It is typically quoted in contexts that encourage people to offer thanks directly—such as workplace recognition, family relationships, or civic and religious settings—where gratitude is valued not merely as an inner attitude but as a social act that strengthens bonds and acknowledges others’ contributions.

The line argues that gratitude has two parts: the internal feeling and the outward expression. By comparing unspoken thanks to a wrapped but ungiven present, Ward suggests that the value of gratitude is unrealized until it is delivered to its intended recipient. The metaphor emphasizes that appreciation is relational: it benefits the giver by cultivating humility and attentiveness, but it benefits the receiver only when communicated. The quote also implies an ethical duty—if someone’s kindness or labor has helped you, withholding acknowledgment is a kind of missed gift, leaving generosity unrecognized and connection unrealized.